This past Wednesday Luke went back to SCOPe Orthotics for a progress check. The lower part of his left thigh had shrunk an inch with the help of the sleeves he wears. Once the leg stops shrinking they will take a cast of it to make the cup which he will get the following week and then he should get his prosthetic leg in another week. He is so much looking forward for that big step! (pun intended)
On Thursday Luke went back to Sharp Rehab Center for his first out-patient occupational therapy. After a few minutes of working with him and seeing how well he is doing, his therapist told him there was no use for him to come back until he gets his leg and cancelled his future appointments.
On Tuesday his Border Patrol Station held a Luke Dithrich Blood Drive. It was a huge success, even surprising the San Diego Blood Bank staff, with 75 pints of blood collected. Luke paid a visit as their guest and when someone jokingly asked if he was going to donate, he laughed and quipped, “Why not…it’s not mine anyway!”
He has been kept busy with friends and fellow agents visiting and taking him out. He certainly hasn't had the problem of being bored.
---Bill
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Meadville Tribune Article
Today the Meadville Tribune published an update on Luke. The following link will take you to the online article http://www.meadvilletribune.com/homepage/local_story_014230336.html The article isn't 100% correct, but the majority of it is.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Taking Advantage of Bad Weather
With the severe weather warnings for Pittsburgh, I didn't want to take the chance of getting stranded on my journey home. Since the airline would allow me to change my itinerary without any surcharges, I decided to postpone my flight until Sunday.
Luke and I took advantage of the extra day and paid a visit to the aircraft carrier Midway. We both had a great time as evidenced by the following photos:
Luke giving the go-ahead for the catapult to launch a jet.
Luke inspecting a jet,
and posing with the 'Huey,' his favorite copter on board,
and a heavily armed fighter.
Luke hangs on for a wild ride.
And gets a little too close to a jet engine intake!
Luke "facing" danger!
He decides to tow a jet around the flight deck.
Dad admires and old fighter.
The highlight of the day was climbing into a fighter jet flight simulator cockpit that physically moved in all the directions that the pilot steered. Luke took us up steep climbs, deep dives, barrel rolls and flying upside down! What a ride! And he even shot down three enemy planes too!!
And so the sun sets on my final day in San Diego.
---Bill
Luke and I took advantage of the extra day and paid a visit to the aircraft carrier Midway. We both had a great time as evidenced by the following photos:
Luke giving the go-ahead for the catapult to launch a jet.
Luke inspecting a jet,
and posing with the 'Huey,' his favorite copter on board,
and a heavily armed fighter.
Luke hangs on for a wild ride.
And gets a little too close to a jet engine intake!
Luke "facing" danger!
He decides to tow a jet around the flight deck.
Dad admires and old fighter.
The highlight of the day was climbing into a fighter jet flight simulator cockpit that physically moved in all the directions that the pilot steered. Luke took us up steep climbs, deep dives, barrel rolls and flying upside down! What a ride! And he even shot down three enemy planes too!!
And so the sun sets on my final day in San Diego.
---Bill
Visit to Neuro Surgeon and CT Scan
Luke had a follow up visit to his neuro surgeon on Friday. As was the case with all the follow up visits he has had with his other doctors, the neuro surgeon was very pleased to see Luke in such an improved condition. He is not able to give a precise prognosis to the extent of the damage to the brachial plexus. It is, however, a very good sign that Luke is getting feeling sensations on the inside of his upper arm. Nerves will regenerate, but only at the rate of one millimeter per day. Also, they do not just repair a damage area, but must regenerate from the injured area all the way down to their end. Since the damage is in Luke's shoulder, it will take months for the healing to take place. Essentially, we don't know how much feeling and mobility Luke will finally regain as only time will reveal that.
After the doctor appointment, Luke had a check up CT scan done on the stent that patched the tear in his aorta. This was the first of many periodic scans that he will have to make sure the stent is holding steady.
Luke had a visit from several Border Patrol agents that are a part of the Patrol's peer support group on Thursday. They presented him with mugs and coffee cups with Border Patrol logos on them, but the primary reason for the visit was to present a gift from the chief of the San Diego Sector of the Border Patrol, Chief Fisher. It was a 2008 Pittsburgh Steeler football which was signed by all the players on the team. Here is Luke admiring the gift.
Friday evening Luke joined with several other Border Patrol agents for a farewell party for a fellow agent that is transferring to another station in Texas. Luke thoroughly enjoyed the time together with his co-workers.
---Bill
After the doctor appointment, Luke had a check up CT scan done on the stent that patched the tear in his aorta. This was the first of many periodic scans that he will have to make sure the stent is holding steady.
Luke had a visit from several Border Patrol agents that are a part of the Patrol's peer support group on Thursday. They presented him with mugs and coffee cups with Border Patrol logos on them, but the primary reason for the visit was to present a gift from the chief of the San Diego Sector of the Border Patrol, Chief Fisher. It was a 2008 Pittsburgh Steeler football which was signed by all the players on the team. Here is Luke admiring the gift.
Friday evening Luke joined with several other Border Patrol agents for a farewell party for a fellow agent that is transferring to another station in Texas. Luke thoroughly enjoyed the time together with his co-workers.
---Bill
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
PCP and Prosthetic visits
Luke had his introductory visit with his new primary care physician this morning. He hadn't seen a doctor since moving out west until the collision. The visit enabled the doctor to familiarize himself with Luke and his condition. Luke will need to be seeing him for check ups on the stent in his aorta, and for any illnesses he comes down with since they can become serious more easily with the loss of his spleen.
Then it was a visit to SCOPe Orthotics for a set of measurements of his leg to chart the progress of the shaping from the sleeves he is wearing. He will be seeing them weekly. His leg still has a way to go before it is ready for the prosthetic.
After that visit we made a trip down to his Border Patrol station so he could pick up his credentials that they have been holding for him since the collision. They are just as anxious for him to get back to work as he is! It also gave me the opportunity to say good-bye to several of the great folks there that have been so helpful and supportive of us during this whole ordeal. I will be heading home this weekend.
Luke is doing very good in getting around the house and fending for himself. I took him shopping the other day and pretty much just pushed the cart as he did his shopping.
He has an appointment Friday with the neuro surgeon. His fellow Border Patrol agents and his housemates and neighbors have all volunteered to drive him to his appointments after I leave and until he gets his prosthetic leg and is able to be much more independent.
---Bill
Then it was a visit to SCOPe Orthotics for a set of measurements of his leg to chart the progress of the shaping from the sleeves he is wearing. He will be seeing them weekly. His leg still has a way to go before it is ready for the prosthetic.
After that visit we made a trip down to his Border Patrol station so he could pick up his credentials that they have been holding for him since the collision. They are just as anxious for him to get back to work as he is! It also gave me the opportunity to say good-bye to several of the great folks there that have been so helpful and supportive of us during this whole ordeal. I will be heading home this weekend.
Luke is doing very good in getting around the house and fending for himself. I took him shopping the other day and pretty much just pushed the cart as he did his shopping.
He has an appointment Friday with the neuro surgeon. His fellow Border Patrol agents and his housemates and neighbors have all volunteered to drive him to his appointments after I leave and until he gets his prosthetic leg and is able to be much more independent.
---Bill
Friday, January 2, 2009
Day 67 - Home Sweet Home!
Luke was discharged from Sharp Rehab Center this morning and it was homeward bound, but not before making a couple of stops. First was the DMV to pick up his handicap plates and then to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions. When we got to his house we were greeted by Boston and this:
Later on some friends gathered at the house for a welcome home shindig. They got into a jam session playing Rock Band with a couple of guitars, a set of drums and a microphone. Before long Luke had the drumsticks in his hand and was a member of the band!
Needless to say, Luke was elated to be home again.
Now that Luke is home and the steps of his recovery are not daily occurrences, I feel that it is no longer necessary or expedient to provide daily updates. So today's post will be the last of the daily posts, but rest assured, it will not be the last update. I know many of you have made this a daily routine keeping up with Luke's progress and I don't know the best way to let you know when future updates will be posted other than to say ... keep checking back. Luke has doctor appointments on Tuesday and Friday next week, so there will most assuredly be updates those days. I will also post updates every time there is something a significant event.
Please stay tuned!
---Bill
Later on some friends gathered at the house for a welcome home shindig. They got into a jam session playing Rock Band with a couple of guitars, a set of drums and a microphone. Before long Luke had the drumsticks in his hand and was a member of the band!
Needless to say, Luke was elated to be home again.
Now that Luke is home and the steps of his recovery are not daily occurrences, I feel that it is no longer necessary or expedient to provide daily updates. So today's post will be the last of the daily posts, but rest assured, it will not be the last update. I know many of you have made this a daily routine keeping up with Luke's progress and I don't know the best way to let you know when future updates will be posted other than to say ... keep checking back. Luke has doctor appointments on Tuesday and Friday next week, so there will most assuredly be updates those days. I will also post updates every time there is something a significant event.
Please stay tuned!
---Bill
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Day 66 - New Year and Last Therapy
Luke celebrated New Year's Day by having his last day of in-patient therapies. He got some workout exercises to do at home for his left leg. He won't have any out-patient physical therapy until he gets his prosthetic leg. We don't have a schedule yet for any out-patient occupational therapy.
First thing this morning, Paula said good-bye and I took her to the airport.
This evening we loaded up his jeep with things that he's collected during his stays at the medical center and the rehab center, then went and picked up his dog, Boston, took him home and got things set up for his return home. He is able to get around the house really well with his wheel chair. The only places it won't fit in is the bathroom and kitchen, so he will be using the walker in those rooms.
Tomorrow we will get his discharge orders and prescriptions, pack up his clothes and toiletries and head for home. We will be stopping at the DMV to pick up his handicap plate. He is very excited to be finally going home.
---Bill
First thing this morning, Paula said good-bye and I took her to the airport.
This evening we loaded up his jeep with things that he's collected during his stays at the medical center and the rehab center, then went and picked up his dog, Boston, took him home and got things set up for his return home. He is able to get around the house really well with his wheel chair. The only places it won't fit in is the bathroom and kitchen, so he will be using the walker in those rooms.
Tomorrow we will get his discharge orders and prescriptions, pack up his clothes and toiletries and head for home. We will be stopping at the DMV to pick up his handicap plate. He is very excited to be finally going home.
---Bill
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